HC Deb 19 July 1962 vol 663 cc624-5
33. Mr. Parkin

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what new steps he intends to take to assist the provision of low-rented accomodation for large families in the London area.

Sir K. Joseph

Housing authorities already have the necessary powers and resources to provide acommodation for large families at low rents, whether by building new dwellings or by the purchase of existing ones.

Mr. Parkin

Will the Minister treat this very important problem in a category by itself? Will he initiate some inquiries to find out how far, as I believe to be the case, the chances of rehousing large families are in fact diminishing rather than increasing, how far local authorities have varied in their enthusiasm for using the powers they have, and what new powers may be desirable?

Sir K. Joseph

I am reluctant to promise new inquiries because they might simply overload staff who are already busy trying to tackle the problem. Within that limitation, I will certainly do what the hon. Gentleman requires. I believe that the absolute numbers of large families are relatively small, but I am not denying the misery for those concerned.

34. Mr. Parkin

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will initiate a survey to provide a fresh estimate of the number of people required in essential services in London for whom low-rented dwellings in the central area are a necessity; and what steps he is taking to influence planning developments so that unskilled industries in the London area are replaced by a wide range of small units employing skilled craftsmen.

Sir K.. Joseph

I am not aware that an estimate of this sort exists nor do I think it would be profitable to attempt to make one. The decentralisation of all forms of industry is a major objective of the planning policy for London.

Mr. Parkin

Did the right hon. Gentleman notice that the figure announced yesterday for the earnings of the mythical average manual worker far exceed the wages brought home by many of the people engaged on the essential services of London? Does he agree that we need either a new wages policy or a new housing policy if we are to accommodate these people where they are required? Will he get the confirmation or his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour through the local youth employment officers that there is a grave shortage of opportunities of skilled employment in London for the product of the new education system?

Sir K. Joseph

I do not accept that there is an inadequacy of opportunities for skilled labour in London. There are many factors here. I ask the hon. Member to bear in mind one of them, namely, that in many households more than one wage comes in.

Mr. Grimond

As the Minister has spoken of the Government's intention to decentralise London, may I ask him if the Government have any plans for moving any Government offices out of London?

Sir K. Joseph

The Government have in fact set quite a good example in moving out of London.

Mr. M. Stewart

Have they not also set an example by moving into London, for example at Earls Court and at State House?

Sir K. Joseph

Yes, but a large number of Government Departments have moved their offices out of London.